Santa Fe Community College
#9 Best Online Colleges in New Mexico- Graduation Rate
- 24% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,005 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $11,067 B
- 35% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 3,369
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.1 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Online Colleges in New Mexico.
Every $1 spent returns $21.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $889,328.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 24% — 58% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe Community College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 3,369
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Santa Fe Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,067 a year after grants and scholarships — 35% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,005 ten years after enrolling — 7% below the typical college, against $13,236 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 37% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.41 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Santa Fe Community College serves around 3,369 students, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a more intimate campus environment. It’s particularly well-suited for individuals interested in practical fields like Health Professions, Education, Mechanic & Repair Technology, Business & Marketing, and Visual & Performing Arts. These programs stand out, offering a blend of hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge that prepares students for the workforce.
When it comes to life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $38,005 annually after ten years. This figure highlights the potential for a stable income in various professional paths, although it’s important to note that only 24% of students graduate. With affordability in mind, the net price after aid is about $11,067, which can make it accessible for many. However, it's also beneficial to consider the median debt of $13,236, which can influence financial decisions post-graduation.
Looking at the overall financial landscape, students who thrive here tend to be those who are focused and willing to take advantage of the college's resources. The relatively low Pell Grant rate of 17% suggests that many students may be self-funding their education or receiving support from other sources. With a practical approach to learning and a welcoming community, Santa Fe Community College can be a stepping stone for those ready to invest in their future.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Santa Fe Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Santa Fe Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Fe Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
- Retention Rate
- 59%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 23%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,066
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 51%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Santa Fe Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Santa Fe Community College is $4,131, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,067. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,145 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $13,236 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $1,851
- Out-of-State
- $4,131
- Avg Net Price
- $11,067
- Median Debt
- $13,236
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 1%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,145
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,255
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,688
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Santa Fe Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Santa Fe Community College report median earnings of $38,005, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,097
- 8 Years
- $34,768
- 10 Years
- $38,005
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 52%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (38)
- 15%
- 100% (38)
- 15%
- 100% (38)
- 15%
- 100% (38)
- 15%
How Santa Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Santa Fe Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Santa Fe Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,067/year ($44,268 total). Graduates earn $38,005 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $933,596 in total earnings — a net gain of $889,328 (21.1× your investment). The median debt is $13,236, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 24% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $44,268
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $933,596
- Net Return
- $889,328
- ROI Multiple
- 21.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,067
- Median Debt
- $13,236
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 24%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Santa Fe Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Santa Fe Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.75%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 19.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.75%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 8.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 19.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $56,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $8,789,412
- Federal Grants
- $9,989,611
Top Programs
The fields Santa Fe Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 36%
- Education 20%
- Business & Marketing 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 5%
- Precision Production 4%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Construction Trades 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Santa Fe Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Santa Fe Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Fe Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Santa Fe Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Santa Fe Community College is $4,131, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,067. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,145 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $13,236 in federal student loans.
Is Santa Fe Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Santa Fe Community College report median earnings of $38,005, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Santa Fe Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Santa Fe Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.75%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 19.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Santa Fe Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Santa Fe Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.41, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.11). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Santa Fe Community College.
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- Piedmont Technical CollegeGreenwood, SC · Close peer33% grad $35,768 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Coalinga CollegeCoalinga, CA · Close peer43% grad $37,633 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Santa Fe Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Santa Fe Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.41, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.11). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note